JAKE AND SPIKE

‘It doesn’t go anywhere’: Jake’s doubts soar as Redmond light rail opens

May 13, 2025, 11:00 AM | Updated: 4:40 pm

Redmond ST3 light rail...

A light rail on the track at the downtown Redmond station during operator qualification testing. (Photo: Peter Bohler via KIRO 7)

(Photo: Peter Bohler via KIRO 7)

Sound Transit’s new Redmond Light Rail extension is drawing both praise and criticism from locals.

“Until Sound Transit gets across the lake, none of this matters, because it doesn’t go anywhere,” co-host of “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Jake Skorheim, said.

Traffic reporter Chris Sullivan joined “Jake and Spike” to discuss the project’s delays and cost overruns, stressing that it won’t significantly benefit the region until it connects to Seattle by crossing Lake Washington on the floating bridge—a key milestone now delayed until early 2026.

Praise, skepticism greet Redmond rail extension

Co-host Spike O’Neil agreed that although the Redmond connection could be beneficial, there are likely some engineering concerns to overcome before it can cross the lake and join the main track.

“This is the first time in human history that anyone has decided to put a moving train on a floating bridge,” Spike said. “They still haven’t tested any of the trains making those connections… I’m gonna believe it when I see it.”

Listen to the full conversation below: 

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

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